US attacks two civilian ships heading to Iran, killing five people

Moscow (ANTARA) - US armed forces fired shots at two civilian ships carrying goods from Khasab, Oman, to Iran, killing five people, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday. On Monday (4/5), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Iran had fired upon US warships and commercial vessels, prompting the US to return fire and destroy Iranian small boats. However, Iran’s government-owned television station, IRIB, later quoted a senior local military source denying the US statement. The report described the incident as portrayed by the US as a successful operation against armed Iranian boats. CENTCOM stated that US military support for the operation included guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned systems, and 15,000 military personnel. The military operation began on Monday morning. IRIB subsequently reported that the Iranian military prevented a US ship from crossing the Strait of Hormuz by striking a warship with two missiles. However, CENTCOM denied Iran’s claim. Trump also threatened Iran with devastating consequences if Tehran attempted to attack US ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti